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The only actual reason I'm putting in those obscure references (disregarding the times I do it completely subconsciously) [in ATOM] is because the popular saying "People are alive as long as they are remembered" really hits home with me for some reason and I want to prolong the lives of things I like through it.

Binky AOD is something of a refutation of the Fury Road / Fallout vision of the apocalypse as something that will bring about a bright new world in which rugged frontierfolk will create utopias (after dealing with the trollish remnants of the world that mostly perished in fire); those basically say, "If all the world were reduced to frontier days, the best qualities would emerge from a mix of benevolent men and feisty women to bring about the idealized frontier image of Little House on the Prairie or Giants in the Earth." AOD says, "If all the world were reduced to frontier days, human greed, fear, shortsightedness, seflishness, and clannishness would push us the rest of the way to extinction." The inspiring (?) message of AOD is that you shouldn't think that the reset button can solve the world's problems; you ought to fix and save the world we have.

1.) I want a game almost exactly like the old ones. Even all the UI quirks, gameplay, MIDI sound/music and artstyle of that era.

2.) I want a game very sinilar to the old ones, but I’m ok with some modern touches like 3D graphics, better UI, etc.

3.) I want a spirirtual sucessor that captures a lot of the feelz and lore of the old games but expands the gameplay and switches up the formula to not only modernize it but push the boundaries of design as if the series still continued today.

These groups of people have and will always exist. The only difference with kickstarter is that all three will have given money in advance for the thing they want. So naturally you’re going to get butthurt no matter what.

Conservative [game] industry abandons old shit on the road all the time, when they feel that good parts of it are not worth the effort. Then kickstarters try to play nostalgia card and revive it, yet the things just crumble in their hands into a dust as if people never understood why these things worked

Yeat at the same time, people who do understand why these things worked manage to make them spring to life because they loved them for reals and have real passion.

Ok guys, fun's over. This topic is getting too heated and people are clearly divulging information not intended for us. As a site, we have a duty to uphold good relations with developers so that we can all work together and have the kind of fun games that we all...

Oh wait, this is the Codex. Sorry, forgot for a minute there. Thought this was NeoGaf or something for a minute.

We're all struggling in the same tar-pit, we're all tar-splattered, and we'll probably all sink, but we have no hope at all unless we spend our energies helping ourselves and others rather than shoving each other down deeper.

[anti-colonial and Communist] revolutions tend to end in disaster for the people and the land irrespective of the moral justification at the outset because the skillset needed to throw off a more powerful oppressor is almost entirely different from, and even exclusive of, the skillset needed to build a political order.

Some of us actually like their hobbies and enjoy good games - including the challenge on the way - not just completing them like addicted junkies who just want to +1 their prestigious gaming experience. The Void was made to be enjoyed, and I enjoyed it the first three times even though I failed miserably until I actually learned how to play. Learning is part of the fun in this game, just like in many others. Do you also bitch how shit Dwarf Fortress is because you didn't win the game when you tried? Or that you didn't finish Crusader Kings 2 because not only you did not manage to conquer the whole world and convert everyone, but also you were thrown to prison, and died?

If people like their games casual and easy, fine, I can understand not everyone likes challenge. However, when you say something like "Games are meant to be finished" telling others their ways of enjoyment are wrong and games should be done to YOUR liking, because you are the only one who gets it right, then you are an idiot. I played D:OS three times but never actually finished it - even though the first time I reached the end boss. End fight was boring shit, so I just stopped playing. I could finish the game within 15 minutes, but it stopped being fun and I just stopped. Games are not meant to be finished, not for me at least, games are meant to be enjoyed.

You almost miss those types [random anti-game US conservative nut-case] with the shit we have today in their place.

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As someone wrote in GG thread, at least we had some genuinely worthwhile games back in the day when guys like him were actual threat.

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MRY, from http://www.cshpicone.com/interview-mark-and-vince:
the question with an RPG system – whether it’s inventory management, item variety, crafting, resting, whatever – is whether it gives the player interesting, meaningful, and enjoyable ways to engage with the game. If a mechanic doesn’t, if it only feeds player mania or encourages degenerate play styles (like rest-pre-buff-fight crawling, save-scumming, paper shuffling, shuttling back and forth from town, etc.), it shouldn’t be in the game

I think the conventional answer is to say that the question ["What's a RPG"] can't be answered in the abstract because it would prejudge the issue should it arise in an actual case or controversy, which naturally would have to be evaluated on its own particular facts. Then when pressed on whether an already-released game is an RPG, I would insist on answering "under established usages." "IGN would call that an RPG, Mr. Senator." "But would you?" "I'm afraid I haven't played it sufficiently to form my own opinion."

By placing the development of the law over a millennium of problems and solutions and solutions to the problems created by the solutions (and cultural and social changes creating new problems addressed with repurposed old solutions amidst the intersection of multiple dispute resolution traditions [civil/anglo-saxon/danelaw]), it really humanized the idiosyncracies and helped me to see the law as a human achievement iterated over generations, like a city or a religion, representing the compromise of a million different perspectives rather than as a failed attempt at perfect organization (a paradigm which I think or project is at the heart of most cynicism about the law).

I find it amusing how many "Anarchists" are employed in often stable, secure jobs. I'm sure there's no connection whatsoever

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99% = Angry at their parents who just want/ed them to work hard and enjoy life. (Grandparents probably escaped from oppression too )

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I once read an article of how Russian punk music is low on talking about the greatness of anarchy vs western punk music and the author speculated that it was due to collapse of the soviet union and the period thereafter and the experience of real anarchy, not sure whether there's any truth to it, but yeah, most anarchists strike me as hilarious naive or just stupid

'Hell, I heard about guys picking up little twelve year old girls on chat rooms. If they can get little girls to meet them in real life just from a chat room, you better believe we'll be able to sell speakers.'

[Unavowed] plot twist is literally that mental illness is proof of an evil soul, unrelated to any physiological component tied to the brain or body, and it can be cured by exorcism. Doesn’t really get more Opus Dei than that.

Spoiler(Move your mouse to the spoiler area to reveal the content)Show SpoilerHide Spoiler

I'm...

A womyns

I'm a paladin.

YES! She is beginning to remember. Sworn to protect the innocent from those who would do them harm. Inside you is a spirit who will destroy many unless you stop it. Do your duty one last time! Fight it!

We know our duty and we will do it!

Remember who you are!

REMEMBER!

There's a fadeout...

And suddenly we're on Staten Island.

This must be our buddy cop.

I want you to take point. You think you're ready?

It's about damn time, Vicki.

Well, maybe you earned it, maybe you haven't. Either way, I need you on this. I know this looks routine. Just a bunch of goth kids getting high and causing trouble. But something doesn't smell right. And by that, I mean the uniform who called it in. According to dispatch it was Franco Morino.

Corrupt cops!

Who is Franco Morino?

Not surprised you haven't heard of him. He hasn't exactly made waves. Just do your job. Get statements. Talk to Morino about what happened. After that, we'll see if there's anything worth talking about.

cryptic

Well? After you, partner.

Clearly we must engage Alpha Protocol and sneak around the back.

Where are you going? In case you forgot, you've got a BADGE. You don't need to sneak around.

Spoilsport.

The yokels are getting uppity.

Let's talk to the bouncer.

I'm Codexia, this is Vicki. We're with the NYPD.

Oh yeah? You got any proof or something? Gonna need that before I let you in.

*sigh* It's your show, partner. Do what you gotta do.

Comrade Protip, to the rescue!

This ought to do.

Codexia flashes her assets.

The natives here are getting a bit restless. You wanna talk to Mrs Loris, she's inside.

Could you tell me what went down here?

I didn't see much. I was out here checking for fake IDs when that cop ran inside and saved the day. By the time I knew what was happening, it was over.

Suspicious.

What do you mean, "saved the day"?

Yeah, as in he saved lives and stopped the bad guys. He was like Bruce Lee or something. Anyway, you can go in.

Bruce Lee, huh?

Whatever. Just do what you gotta do so we can reopen. And give that cop in there a raise, will you? He was a damn hero.

Let's head on in

Hallo thar

Are you ladies with the police?

That's us.

Good. I'm Elana Loris, I own this place. Officer Morino's in the back room, along with the three idiots who started this mess.

What idiots are you talking about?

Wait, you don't know? Weren't you, whadayacallit, briefed? Well, whatever. I don't mind telling the story again. Anyway, here's what happened. These three kids pulled out knives. These long silver switchblade things. I swear to god, I thought it was gonna be a bloodbath. But then... then that Officer Morino stormed in. I swear it was like something out of a Bruce Lee movie.

[Perception] Bruce Lee, huh? The guy outside said the same thing.

Well... it's true. He fought them all. All three of them! Disarmed them and put 'em all in cuffs. Then he dragged them all to the back room.

How'd those knives get past the bouncer?

We don't frisk here, detective. Nothing like this has ever happened before.

Great security.

Those kids, they're regulars here. They come here and get wild, but they're good kids.

They always are.

I can't imagine why they'd do something like this. Anyway, they're in the VIP room back there. I guess you need a statement from all of them. I'll be here if you need me.

Codexia's womynly thinking is getting the best of her.

All descriptions flash automatically at the bottom of the screen when hovering over props in Unavowed. They also differ depending on protag gender - for example in this case male copper would remark about changing his mind about goth girls.

Let us proceed.

... or not!

Hey, you good to fly solo? I wanna talk to the owner for a bit longer.

Yes ma'am. I was doing my rounds. I was just passing by and I heard screams from inside. I ran in. I found these three, armed with knives and prepared to attack innocent civilians. So I disarmed them and cuffed them.

You did that all by yourself?

Yeah. All by myself. Ask around, get everyone's statements. They'll back me up.

Sounds like an illuminati psy op.

Hovering over reveals that Franco Morino is the fattest cop in the 120th Precinct. He looks pale. His eyes keep twitching.

But that cop stopped us. It was... it was like a Bruce Lee movie.

It was like... something out of a Bruce Lee movie. Wait, who's Bruce Lee?

We couldn't fight him. He was... like Bruce Lee or something.

The suspects aren't particularly coherent.

Vicki rejoins the party.

Just talking to the suspects.

Yeah. Suspects. So, Morino. You got a pretty good collar here. Three of 'em in fact.

Thank you, ma'am.

I'm just curious about one thing. These three are all restrained. Police issue cuffs, it looks like.

[perception]

Yeah.

Yeah, funny thing. The standard officer's kit only has TWO pairs of cuffs. So I just gotta know. Where'd the third pair come from?

I'd like to know that too.

See that, Franco? You got us both puzzled. You got an answer for us?

Yeah. I... took an extra.

That was lucky. You didn't need three cuffs when you took down that mugger yesterday. Just the one. Or what about those two deli robbers the day before that? You only needed two cuffs then.

But today? You take down three bad guys and you just happen to have three pairs of cuffs.

Morino has played many RPGs and knows to hoard resources.

Wow, you're a regular supercop, Morino.

I... I'm just doing my job.

Your job. Right. All the suspects in all those crimes. They ALL had perfect records before you arrested them. And speaking of records, what about YOURS? You've had an unremarkable career up until this week. Care to explain this sudden shift in direction?

I've... I've been reading.

Reading? What, like self-help, or something?

Or something.

Morino suddenly takes out a book.

@_@

You should recommend me for a promotion.

...

Yeah. Yeah. Good job, Morino. Never knew you were such a bad ass. I'll... I'll just go and call this in.

Vicki leaves.

Put that book down. Right now.

SORCERY!

I'm sick of taking orders from you! For ten years I've been the bottom of the totem pole. The butt of everyone's jokes. I TRIED to get ahead. Really, I tried. But... nobody ever gave me a damn chance.

Maybe if you gave the GYM a chance...

Shut the hell up! You think this is a JOKE?

Let's see how much you laugh when I'm done with you @_@

Drop the book. NOW.

... Fuck. Okay, okay.

Look, I'll kick it over to you. Just... put down the gun. Take it. Just take it. I... I don't even know what I'm doing with that thing.

Dramatic fade as Codexia picks up the grimoire.

WHOA

I've been stuck in this uniform for ten years. TEN YEARS. I can't take it anymore! Then I found that book, and... well what would you do?

... Codexia would go berserk with it. She *BLAM*s all the three perps.

Fuck! What the hell?

SILENCE THE DISCORD.

Just another parasite.

Hello.

What the HELL is going on? What about the kids? Are the kids okay?

Goodbye.

And thanks for all the xp.

*dramatic fade*

Back to the present.

The hands you control will no longer do your bidding. In the name of myself, my witness, and the soul whom you hold captive... I CAST YOU OUT!

Aetheric barf.

The barf goes into the dude's staff and poofs.

Gotcha!

After which the dude is struck by lightning.

Eli!

Free at last. Time to conquer Earth.

Whoa whoa whoa, hol' up.

Jeez, Mandy. Put that sword away. The spirit is gone, that lady is harmless!

Harmless? I'll show you harmless! Tell me what's going on!

Hm, false bravado. I believe you are correct.

FALSE?!

Told you. She doesn't even know what's going on. It looks like her memory got scrambled during the exorcism.

Scrambled.

What? It happens.

I... apologize for the threat. It has been a long night. Please, come with us and we will explain everything.

How about you tell me right here?

Because I am cold, soaking wet, and I have been outdoors all night. However, if you want to stay up here, you are welcome to.

Spoiler(Move your mouse to the spoiler area to reveal the content)Show SpoilerHide Spoiler

ZOG

IT'S LOIKE A MEATGROINDA

Do take your time. Soak it all in. So, how is that memory of yours? Anything spring to mind?

Codexia is flabbergasted at the scene but quickly regains her composure.

What the hell happened here?

Your answer is within your question. Hell, indeed, happened here. Those innocents, innocents of this city who I have sworn to protect. Were destroyed. By your hands.

That's a lie!

You will find that I always tell the truth. Famous for it, actually.

You were possessed. By some kind of demon. It... made you do things.

You do not remember? One year ago? You slaughtered those police officers. And those teenagers.

...

It's a lot to take in, Mandana.

I am aware, but we cannot... coddle her. You may not want to think about it. Or even remember it. But you must.

The story was top news for weeks! Every district in the city was searching for you.

As were we. And it is... fortunate that we found you first. These people on the floor? Torn apart using your bare hands. The rain washed away most of the blood from your hands, but it will always be there. Whether you can see it or not.

I should turn myself in.

No! You can't do that!

He is correct. Punishing yourself is not the answer. And would expose us. If you want to see justice done, help make it right.